Quakers challenge economic system
Quakers resolve to work towards 'a better economic system'
Quakers in Britain have resolved to work with others to ‘achieve a better economic system’. The commitment goes further than a decision taken last year, when Friends agreed only to explore the issue of whether a new system is needed.
Criticism of the current economic system was perhaps the strongest so far expressed in a minute of Britain Yearly Meeting. ‘Continued economic growth in the developed world is not acceptable and we agree to work together with others of goodwill to achieve a better economic system,’ stated the minute, which also described the banking system as ‘broken’.
The minute declared: ‘Many of us see the current system as inherently unjust and therefore unsustainable. Can we change it to embrace our testimonies to peace and equality?’
The minute appears to acknowledge that Quakers are not necessarily clear or united on the form that a better economic system might take. It promises that Friends will ‘stand in the Light’ to discover the form of a ‘good economy’. It includes a quote from the Magnificat, a prayer attributed to Jesus’ mother Mary in Luke’s Gospel, which thanks God for casting down the mighty and exalting the lowly.
For more details, see ‘Quakers back radical change’.
